When should I take the MCAT if I graduate in 2026?

If you hope to attend medical school immediately after you graduate, then you will need to complete pre-med coursework and take the MCAT by early May of your junior year in order to get your score before submitting your application in June when the cycle opens.

When should I take MCAT for 2026 cycle?

The MCAT exam is offered in January & March through September, and there are thirty MCAT test dates to choose from. Aim to take the MCAT as early in the year as possible, preferably no later than mid-May before AMCAS application submissions begin in early June.

When should I take the MCAT if I want to start med school in 2025?

For instance, if you'd like to enroll in medical school in August 2025, you'll want to take your MCAT during the first four months of 2024—that is, no later than April 2024.

Do I take MCAT junior or senior year?

The MCAT is something that requires planning and should not be taken on a whim. The ideal time to take the MCAT is the spring of your junior year of college, if you plan to attend medical school immediately following graduation.

How early should I be for the MCAT?

Plan to arrive at the testing center 30 minutes prior to the exam start time. Test center Administrators will start checking in examinees 30 minutes before your exam starts. It's best to plan and know how to get to your testing center and how long it will take.

When should you take the MCAT? | Medical School Application Guide

What month is too late for MCAT?

May 24, 2024 is the the latest date of the 2024/25 cycle to take the test to give yourself a shot at an acceptance. The latest date you can technically take the MCAT in 2024 is September 14, but this is only useful for students planning on taking a gap year or who know they'll retake the test the following spring.

What year do most students take the MCAT?

Often, students will choose to take their MCAT exam in the same year they are applying to medical school. For example, if you are thinking about attending medical school in fall 2023, you might consider taking your exam during 2022.

When should I take the MCAT if I want to start med school in 2024?

To determine when you want to take the MCAT figure out what year you would like to start medical school. We recommend that you should have the MCAT completed at least 1.5 years ahead of that date. For instance, if you want to start med school Fall 2024 you should have the MCAT done by Spring of 2024.

What time of year is it easiest to take the MCAT?

There's no magical time period where the MCAT is easier. It's a challenging exam no matter the month you choose. Some feel prepared to take the MCAT after their sophomore year, while others decide to wait until their senior year of undergrad.

What year do pre-med students take the MCAT?

If you hope to attend medical school immediately after you graduate, then you will need to complete pre-med coursework and take the MCAT by early May of your junior year in order to get your score before submitting your application in June when the cycle opens.

Do med schools average MCAT attempts?

How are multiple MCAT scores evaluated by admissions committees? While medical schools will see all your MCAT scores, admissions committees will use multiple scores in different ways, including: Considering your highest score only. Considering the average of every score.

How late is too late to take the MCAT?

If you're okay with submitting your application before knowing your score, then late June/early July is okay. Taking it any later than that may delay your consideration by your schools, which is detrimental in a process where there are a limited number of interviews and seats.

Is 22 too old to start med school?

There is no age limit for medical school.

How long do MCAT scores last Harvard?

Applicants whose MCAT scores are more than three years old must retake the test. HMS considers all valid MCAT exam scores during the application review process.

Should I take the MCAT in 3 or 4 months?

Is Three Months Enough Time to Study for the MCAT? Three months might be enough time to study for the MCAT if you can devote approximately 25 hours per week to studying. Kaplan recommends studying for the MCAT over a period of four to six months for a total of 300 to 350 hours.

Is 400 hours enough to study for the MCAT?

How long does it take to prepare for the MCAT? Your goal in prepping for the MCAT should be to get somewhere between 300–400 hours of study time, depending on your academic foundation, skill with standardized tests, and other factors.

How bad does it look to take the MCAT 3 times?

Taking the MCAT twice is fine; even three times shouldn't impact your admissions too much. However, any more tries can begin to damage your application. Aim to avoid taking the MCAT multiple times while planning to retake it once if necessary.

Is 200 hours enough to study for MCAT?

In total, you should aim for at least 200 to 300 hours of MCAT study time. You should plan to spend even more time studying if you last covered the material a while ago, or if you have a particular area of weakness.

What is the easiest month to take the MCAT?

If I had to take a guess, I'd say January has the best curve. Most people will be focusing on finals during Nov/Dec, and only have a month of Christmas Break to really focus on studying for the MCAT. The problem is that the MCAT is not curved just to the current year.

What month do most people take the MCAT?

Are the March, April, and May 2024 exams right for you? March, April, and May have historically been—and will likely continue to be—the most popular testing months because they occur before the application cycle opens in June.

How old are most med school students?

Most med students are around 24 years old when heading into their first year. The average graduating age is 28, but it's never too late to go to med school. Non-traditional applicants often fear it may be too late to attend medical school. It's important to know there is no age limit to attending medical school.

Do you apply to medical school junior or senior year?

Summer Before Senior Year

You may start the primary application process as early as April and, ideally, you should complete it by June or July. Regular deadlines stretch between now and December (If you apply through the Early Decision Program (EDP) , the deadline is August 1).

Can I apply to med school before taking MCAT?

Yes, it is possible to get into certain medical schools without taking the MCAT. Though, you must keep in mind that the vast majority of schools require you to take the MCAT. As a result, your options become more limited should you choose to skip the exam.

Can you submit primary without MCAT?

Generally speaking, while most schools can receive your primary application without your MCAT scores, they will not look at it until your scores have been reported. As a result, make sure you keep in mind how your test date/score release will impact when your application is considered.